Black’s breakthrough album rode to the number three spot on the back of ‘Wonderful Life’ and ‘Sweetest Smile’, both UK top ten hits. Record Mirror would later describe Black’s first hit Sweetest Smile as “a beautiful, slow croon. Sufficiently different from the usual conveyor-belt of identikit hits to distract the listener and stretch their attention span to four minutes.”
The album ‘Wonderful life’ went on to sell two million copies worldwide. Although ‘Wonderful life’ and ‘Sweetest smile’ are both melancholy ballads, it is European hit ‘Everything’s coming up roses’ that better defines much of the rest of the album of upbeat, electric guitar and synth-driven rock.
Reviewers would later come to consider the sound of the album dated, but the strength of the underlying songs has ensured a successful acoustic revival on Colin’s later albums. ‘Wonderful life’ is still widely available on CD, featuring five tracks not released on the vinyl edition.
“I have little but good memories of this pre-success period,” says Colin today. “Hand me the number of Dial-a-Fudge – I wish to send an order to whoever it was that said that the trick to life is keeping it simple!”
There is also a 2-disc re-issue available with a second CD of 14 bonus tracks. These include the original Ugly Man version of the Wonderful Life single plus a selection of B-sides and four songs from a 1986 Janice Long session. The album’s liner notes come complete with a specially commissioned interview with Colin.
Here I go out to sea again The sunshine fills my hair And dreams hang in the air Gulls in the sky and in my blue eyes You know it feels unfair There’s magic everywhere Look at me standing Here on my own again Up straight in the sunshine
No need to run and hide It’s a wonderful, wonderful life No need to laugh or cry It’s a wonderful, wonderful life
The sun’s in your eyes The heat is in your hair They seem to hate you Because you’re there And I need a friend, oh I need a friend To make me happy Not stand there on my own Look at me standing here on my own again Up straight in the sunshine No need to run and hide It’s a wonderful, wonderful life No need to laugh or cry It’s a wonderful, wonderful life
I need a friend, oh I need a friend To make me happy, not so alone Look at me here, here on my own again Up straight in the sunshine
No need to run and hide It’s a wonderful, wonderful life No need to laugh or cry It’s a wonderful, wonderful life
You don’t believe me, I can tell it by your eyes There’s a kind of magic, to be had from your lies I used to say that today Is like tomorrow Don’t sell it short for truth
I should have known should have known should have known how I should have known I should have known by now
You don’t understand it, I can tell it by your smile There’s a kind of freedom, to be had from your lies I always said that today Is like tomorrow Don’t sell it short for truth
I should have known should have known should have known now I should have known I should have known by now
But everything’s coming up roses, coming up roses, coming up roses But now everything’s coming up roses, coming up roses
Breaks her vows and keeps the ring Buys a car and steals a gun and tries to run Stares ahead and drives the night and when she’s run the county line she looks behind With angry eyes
Your bloodless hands, your stupid friends, your vicious lies I’ll give you something to cry about
I am more than pussy face I am more than pretty thighs wrapped up in lace And I want more than broken dreams I was always more than I seemed and I’ll give you something to cry about
I want a child I want to play Like children do I want much more than I could Ever have with you I’ll give you something to cry about
Breaks her vows and keeps the ring Buys a car and steals a gun and tries to run
Baby, once more I won’t ask again Don’t tell me I should count to ten Think freely, I won’t attempt to curb your speech It sounds like something out of reach
It’s crazy, when I think of how I feel so free Maybe there is something wrong with me Could be!
Finder, I never seem to know when I will find her I am the Finder, and that’s fine by me That’s fine by me
Bingo! You’ve said it, you “don’t care to play” Just srag on through another day Maybe it’s time you learnt to play the fool Break some of your silly rules And someday, when you think you can’t do anymore I’ll be lying here to break your fall So small
Finder, I never seem to know when I will find her I am the Finder, and that’s fine by me That’s fine by me
I feel the weight of your heart And I know a way it can change I know the weight of your heart I know a way we can rise
Just hold my hand and we can make it to paradise Just slip inside and we can make it to paradise
Because, just like a forming rainbow Just like the stars in the sky Life should never feel small
We are losers now It wouldn’t hurt to try Oh wrap me up in passioned arms And tell me, tell me you love
For I need to know if we’re to get to paradise Just take my hand and we can make it to paradise Because, just like a forming rainbow Just like the stars in the sky Life should never feel small
And we roll and dive and laugh and cry about it Right out into paradise Just like a forming rainbow Just like the stars in the sky Life should never feel small Oh, never feel small And we roll and dive and laugh and cry about it
The cotton is high The field is still full The dust is drifting everywhere A harvest moon comes up in the sky The blues to shake me, wake me It’s a long way down to the birth of the blues I haven’t very far to fall since they were born and came to haunt this singing fool since day one
There’s so many ways to sing the blues I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid, not afraid I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid, to let them break me
A harvest moon comes up in the sky The cotton chokes me, makes me dry I know that I’m unafraid and so I am Just a ghost that walks through the room I’ll blame it on the moonshine brew; whisky and wine Like dust in my eyes making pats of kidney
There’s so many ways to sing the blues I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid, not afraid I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid, to let them break me
The cotton is high The field is still full The dust is drifting everywhere No! It’s happening again, the blues are shaking, waking me It’s a long way down to the birth of the blues I haven’t very far to fall since they were born And came to haunt this singing fool since day one
There’s so many ways to sing the blues I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid, not afraid I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid, to let them break me
So many problems So many problems so many hanging faces So many ways to say Oh I’ll never see another day with you in it So listen while you can The first time that you ever have
I can count your saving graces on two fingers Love them, sit on them You told me that you’re not afraid to die and dying’s easy, life that’s hard Listen while you can The first time that you ever have So listen while you can The first time that you ever have Life’s not easy, but it’s all you have
I just grew tired Grew tired Grew tired of it
So I can count on you Don’t ever, never, never never let it slip away And dying’s easy? I think I’ll try it out today!
It’s time to shout, it’s time to let them know what we’re about As winter kisses frosty cold and hard to hands I’ll waste not an ounce of my time Now that summer’s in time To hold back the night Keep me up from the fire Back to the wheel
Don’t look down, Don’t ever let them know you’re down For if we are, we are If we’re not, so what? I’ll waste not an ounce of my time Now that summer’s in time To hold back the night Keep me up from the fire Back to the wheel
Speak in my ear Speak in my ear You’re living a lie You’re living a lie No you can’t here No you can’t here Out from the fire Out from here Hell on the way There’s hell on the way
Seeing you, I know why I’d come so far And I thanked the stars for leading me to you Your fairy tale prince, I’m trying so hard To make like an orchard in my own back yard Oh the rain dribbles down me in my beatitude My collar and shirt, down legs to battered shoes Life is a breeze!
I’m just making memories, good times or bad I’m just making memories, you’re the best that I’ve had And I’m still living my teenage angst On the printed page and in other ways So if I seem cruel, it’s only the fool in me That wants to try and see if you’ll cry Oh the rain dribbles down me in my beatitude My collar and shirt, down legs to battered shoes Life is a breeze!
I’m just making memories, good times or bad I’m just making memories, you’re the best that I’ve had No need to ask why I’m mischief and joy I’m still the tall boy who just wouldn’t crawl I’m just making memories, good times or bad I’m just making memories, you’re the best that I’ve had
I think my heart must be made of clay Cause everyone said it would be broken some day And now I’ve come to that fateful day So I sit on the floor with my head in my hands And don’t tell me how to make it pay I write a new song every day I just wish I was made of wood I might not feel pain even if I should Even if I should
The sweetest smile that ever did Melt the pats in the butter dish And if you could have believed in me I swear to God I’d have made damn sure Our hearts were warm, and glad with wine I’d keep the doors locked all the time I just wish I was made of wood You might not seem glad, even if you should Even if you should, if you should
I think my heart must be made of clay Cause everyone said it would be broken some day Seems that I have come to that fateful day So I sit on the floor with my head in my hands With my head in my hands Even if I should, if I should
Now it’s complete Ravel is in the rain Standing in my dream street I’d like to meet Ravel in New Orleans Hold out my hand to his I was warned, now I’m old Still searching for what I’m told is gone, is God, is not
Don’t try to leave I’ve tried so many times The street is named desire I was warned, now I’m old Still searching for what I’m told is gone, is God, is not
Not for nothing at all Not for nothing did I call Reason is, you’re often appalled Hold on now John you never seemed cold I thought you were in love Then I guess that you’re not Ah but then the first thing you wrote, Was hold on now John, hold on now John now hold on
You don’t answer when I call You don’t answer then You don’t answer when I call Leave yourself alone Leave yourself alone
Cabbages and kings in your dreams These are your dreams Maybe they’re not quite what they seem Hold on now John, the blame is undone. Wash up the air, don’t drive that car Never learn to play the guitar And leave yourself alone, leave yourself alone Leave yourself alone, and leave yourself alone
You don’t answer when I call You don’t answer then You don’t answer when I call Leave yourself alone Leave yourself alone
Sweeping up the ashes of rock Sweeping up the ashes of roll Years begin to take up their toll Though not for some, you’ve never seemed cold
You don’t answer when I call You don’t answer then You don’t answer when I call Leave yourself alone Leave yourself alone
You don’t follow me now, ribbons in hair Searching for answers When there’s none there Then following me round, up my stair Into my bedroom if I’m there Hoping for something Because it seems the right thing to do
You know what to do then Yeah yeah yeah You know what to do then Yeah yeah yeah
You still follow me now, temptingly fair Finding your answers When there’s none there Hoping for something Because it seems the right thing to do
You know what to do then Yeah yeah yeah You know what to do then Yeah yeah yeah
I gave you houses, I gave you furs I gave you them before you had the first I gave you kisses, I stroked your fur I love a woman now that you’ve had the first
It’s not you, I won’t give you all It’s not you, I won’t give you all Get out of my face
You took the houses, you took the furs You took another after you took the first You took my kisses, and those of fur Now I love a woman and it’s the first
It’s not you, I won’t give you all It’s not you, I won’t give you all Get out of my face
You know you have me to keep at will Whatever whets your fancy, whatever you will Took what you want, took what you will Take my schonker baby and drink your fill
It’s not you, I won’t give you all It’s not you, I won’t give you all Get out of my face
I used to hide I used to cry a lot But now I don’t It’s you, you For when you smile the whole world’s sky When you smile, I’m a star in that sky It’s you, you And we’re barely friends We’re hardly star-crossed lovers But who cares? It’s you, it’s you For when you smile the whole world’s sky When you smile, I’m a star in that sky It’s you, it’s you
11 comments on “Wonderful Life”
love Colin, kisses
Been listening to Everything’s coming up roses for the last three days – not able to stop
It’s such a joy to find you again!
In Italy, back then, I was among the first to buy this album, and later on “Comedy”. Countless times these songs cradled my heart. It’s been always impossible to forget that “just like a forming rainbow, just like the stars in the sky, life should never feel small”. This album was never felt small.
Thank you for your sweet music, Mr. Vearncombe
Prayers to you and your family xxx
My thought go out to all family and friends of this wonderfully talented man. I have loved his music since I was twelve years old. I just wanted to say I love the production on the wonderful life album and it has influenced me in my music always. I was actually wondering what Synthesisers were used on that album but I guess I may never know… R.I.P.
I found out all too late that Colin had passed away recently (specifically the obituary in Uncut magazine) and wanted to pay my respects. This album in particular still stands up incredibly well for me, still got the vinyl with the bonus 12″, an Australian edition??? Anyway, sincere best wishes to Colin’s family.
Sorry, sincere condolences.
Acabo de enterarme de su muerte mientras revisaba la página y escuchaba su música me entristecio mucho aún estoy llorando :c
Wonderful life I’ve been listening to this track for a whole day oh what a god given talent to arrange lyrics and instruments and make it speak to your soul R.I.P COLIN
I love the song Paradise it should have been a big a hit!!
I am trying to work out the guitar chords – I know its a keyboard/synth song but does anyone know the key and chords!!
Thanks
Thank you for your beautiful music Colin, the background to my life as we are age compatible. That you are no longer here, is a loss for the world. Rest well my friend.
11 comments on “Wonderful Life”
love Colin, kisses
Been listening to Everything’s coming up roses for the last three days – not able to stop
It’s such a joy to find you again!
In Italy, back then, I was among the first to buy this album, and later on “Comedy”.
Countless times these songs cradled my heart. It’s been always impossible to forget that “just like a forming rainbow, just like the stars in the sky, life should never feel small”. This album was never felt small.
Thank you for your sweet music, Mr. Vearncombe
Prayers to you and your family xxx
My thought go out to all family and friends of this wonderfully talented man. I have loved his music since I was twelve years old. I just wanted to say I love the production on the wonderful life album and it has influenced me in my music always. I was actually wondering what Synthesisers were used on that album but I guess I may never know… R.I.P.
I found out all too late that Colin had passed away recently (specifically the obituary in Uncut magazine) and wanted to pay my respects. This album in particular still stands up incredibly well for me, still got the vinyl with the bonus 12″, an Australian edition??? Anyway, sincere best wishes to Colin’s family.
Sorry, sincere condolences.
Acabo de enterarme de su muerte mientras revisaba la página y escuchaba su música me entristecio mucho aún estoy llorando :c
Wonderful life
I’ve been listening to this track for a whole day oh what a god given talent to arrange lyrics and instruments and make it speak to your soul
R.I.P COLIN
I love the song Paradise it should have been a big a hit!!
I am trying to work out the guitar chords – I know its a keyboard/synth song but does anyone know the key and chords!!
Thanks
Thank you for your beautiful music Colin, the background to my life as we are age compatible. That you are no longer here, is a loss for the world. Rest well my friend.